Exchange Rate??

[Samps]

Hey guys! First time poster here looking for some help.

I am planning a trip to Thailand with my buddy in April 06' and would like to ask what the exchange rate is from dollars to baht.

Also, if anyone has a standard traveling procedure they go through to get from the states to Phucket/Pattaya, I could use that help as well.

Great forums here and you guys certainly know how to party! I hope to be as familiar one day!!

Thanks guys,

Samps

[Nicke]

Welcome to the forum Samps.

You can find a currency converter here http://www.phuket-info.com/currency.htm

At the moment 100 USD = 3,992.78 THB. But don't expect to get this at exchanges, they usually pay out lower. I guess you would get 100 baht less or so.

[Samps]

Do you happen to have any information on flight arrangements?

I was just checking on line and the cheapest I found a flight for was about 2,200.

If you know of any good deals on flights, please let me know.

Samps

P.S. Thx for the welcome!!!

[magnusvv]

Originally Posted by Samps

Do you happen to have any information on flight arrangements?

I was just checking on line and the cheapest I found a flight for was about 2,200.

If you know of any good deals on flights, please let me know.

I have flown via Cathay Pacific for as low as $675 out of New York (this past April). I would imagine from the south you should be able to catch something for less than $1000 at least. Right now the prices are high since it is summertime, for next April you will surely find something cheaper than that. Check the big travel sites like travelocity and orbitz, they can also send you emails when the price drops to your desired set amount.

Also dont forget to check the Accomodation and Transportation section http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=20 Members tend to post about current deals and the like that they find for flights and hotels in there.

[aussie dollar]

http://www.xe.com/ucc/
find this exchange converter good also
as nicke mentioned knock off 100 baht or so at converter in patong

[Nicke]

Lol, Well it is same as my link. The exchange converter on this site use xe.com

Originally Posted by aussie dollar

http://www.xe.com/ucc/
find this exchange converter good also
as nicke mentioned knock off 100 baht or so at converter in patong

[geespot]

Originally Posted by dizbusta

Don't forget to bear in mind costs of going on from Bangkok if you are going to Phuket or Pattaya.

For Pattaya you land at Bangkok and then either catch a bus or a taxi. Bus is obviously cheaper but also more hassle and longer, about 4 hours+ as you have to go from the airport by bus to the main bus station and then catch another bus from there. Taxis are available at the airport and will drive you striahgt to Pattaya. You could use the limousine service (I usually do) which cost 3,600baht for a return trip last time I was there, this is roughly $90. If you are alone it is expensive, but if there is 2/3 of you, then if will be cheaper per head. This is the maximum you should pay, it will include all tolls and you get driven in a nice comfortable car. At the other end of the scale, you can take a meter-taxi from the rank, not all will goto Pattaya so don't be put off if the first one says "no". These cars are less comfortable, but OK as a rule. They have a meter but will ask for a fare and switch the meter off, this is normal. With these taxis you can expect to pay around 1,000 - 1,200baht for a one-way journey and unless you state it during cost negotiations, you will have to pay the tolls. Last time it was 130baht in total if memory serves me right, so not too much. Try to avoid them agreeing 1,200baht for the journey and then saying "1,500baht and I pay toll". I got done first time by that one, I ended up paying 2,500baht for a one-way taxi ride (including tolls) to Pattaya and it wasn't even from the airport, it was from central Bangkok which is even closer !!

I don't know what the fares are for the bus, but I can't imagine that it will be more than 500baht for the bus to the main bus station and the second bus to Pattaya. I seem to recall there being information on the web somewhere, so maybe a search will give you current prices.

For Phuket, you can catch the train but it takes almost 24hours to get there. It's too far for a taxi and what you would pay would be about the same as the airfare. So flying is the best option. Most expensive way is Business Class with Thai Air which will set you back around $200 for a return trip, you can expect to pay around half that for Economy with the same airline. There are other airlines that you could try, but I don't know about the prices for those. www.nokair.com is one I know of, there are other threads on here that should give details about which airlines and there websites, again try the search facility on the forum and see what it brings up.

Once you get to Phuket airport, you will then need to get a taxi to wherever you are staying. There is a thread about this that would be a good idea to read, although don't be put off by it, after having re-read it myself I think some of the comments make the situation seem worse than it is.

www.phuket-info.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6931

If your hotel offers a taxi service, it would be an idea to give this serious thought no matter whether you are staying in Pattaya or Phuket. They usually charge reasonable rates and it means that after your long flight, you walk out of the airport straight in to a nice car and you don't have to worry about haggling, booking, getting one bus and then another etc.

Good luck
Diz

Good infor mate

G

ps Wet Willys pool needs a clean out! could u give me a hand? 55555555

[magnusvv]

This link may be good because you can find out what the bank will actually give you for your money: Bankok Bank Exchange Rates

[bigorange1]

check with either cathay pacific or singapore airlines-they cost a bit more, about $1,200 US but it is worth it for comfort, food, etc.

[magnusvv]

Originally Posted by bigorange1

check with either cathay pacific or singapore airlines-they cost a bit more, about $1,200 US but it is worth it for comfort, food, etc.

My april flight for $675 was cathay. It was a Deal of the Month to Bangkok. Keep an eye on their website for that one.

[JayBee]

A dollar is down to 39.86 Baht today! When you are in LOS, it pays to check the rates at a few banks, because they differ considerably some days. And only exhange your money at banks or airports, because other places give you a poor exchange rate.

[stevem]

Originally Posted by JayBee

And only exhange your money at banks or airports, because other places give you a poor exchange rate.

NO, bring all your US notes into a bar, particularly one of mine. Us owners love changing foreign currency at midnight.

Seriously though, this is good advice for newbies. If do find yourself short of the good old baht to pay your bill, and you would be surprised how many times this does happen, then most bars will change your foreign currency (but note only certain currencies, in particular USD, GPD, AUD, NZD, SGD, HKD), but you will be given an exchange rate several points lower than the published one.

Folks do complain about this, but I normally just say, "well go and try and buy a beer in the bank at midnight!!"

I also want to add, that if you need to know the real exchang rate, then use the following link, sometimes the online convertors, like xe.com arent really up to date.

http://www.bangkokbank.com/Bangkok+B...s/FX+Rates.htm

[ancientmariner]

Exchange counter at Robinson in Phuket Town has good rates.

[stevem]

Originally Posted by ancientmariner

Exchange counter at Robinson in Phuket Town has good rates.

Yuck, Robinsons in Phuket town, my most unfavourite shopping center on the whole island.

[charlie5005]

maybe you can check out china airlines out of lax. they go to phuket via taipeh. not
too sure about frequency. cheers.

[Samps]

Thanks for all the great info guys! I'm gonna like it here!

Sorry for not responding sooner. I was out of town on business this past week.

I'll keep you guys posted. Man I love these forums!!

Samps

[gregor200]

Originally Posted by Samps

Hey guys! First time poster here looking for some help.

I am planning a trip to Thailand with my buddy in April 06' and would like to ask what the exchange rate is from dollars to baht.

Also, if anyone has a standard traveling procedure they go through to get from the states to Phucket/Pattaya, I could use that help as well.

Great forums here and you guys certainly know how to party! I hope to be as familiar one day!!

Thanks guys,

Samps

you can printout an easy usable table at www.oanda.com. you can printout a history table (last 30 days, last 3 month) as well.

[jesper_dk]

Hi, can some of you guys recomand a good place to change money in Patong??...
12 days left before i am in HEAVEN
Jesper_dk

[aussie dollar]

will have no problem changing money banks have exchanges everywhere open to at least 9pm in most areas and i think bangla till 11pm